Agitator construction



' Nov. 23, 1943.

' J. P. BEATTIE 2,334,859

AGITATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 27, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTQR.John P. Bedztze. BY

ATTORNEY 1943- J. P. BEATTIE 2,334,359

' AGITATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 27, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I mvrzmozp- John P Bea/fizz. flm/aw' ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

The present invention pertains to agitators for use in domestic clotheswashing machines, and more particularly to agitators of the multi-vanetype mounted within a tub for oscillation about a vertical axis.

For many years past, agitators of this general type have primarily beenformed by moulding either metal or various plastic materials. Agitatorsthus formed while possessing certain advantages, also have certaininherent disadvantages. For example, in the use of aluminum agitators,the surfaces subjected to the washing fluid become pitted and develop agenerally roughened surface due to the alkaline action of the washingfluid. Such roughened or pitted surfaces greatly increase the abrasiveaction upon the clothes and result in unnecessarily reducing the lifethereof. It is also well known that moulded plastic type agitators havesome tendency to warping and discoloring, and are I somewhat fragile,and may be damaged or broken in the event that they are inadvertentlydropped after having been removedfrom the machine during the process ofcleansing the machine and/or the agitator.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a novelagitator construction fabricated as an assembly of a plurality of partsstamped from sheet metal.

Another object is to provideanimproved agitator construction of thecharacter indicated, consisting of an integral, unitary assembly of aplurality of stamped sheet metal elements, including vanes and a baseconstructed in such form so that when embodied in a unitary structure asto permit application of a suitable and durable coating, such asvitreous enamel.

A further object is to provide an improved agitator of the characterindicated formed as an assembly of a plurality of stamped sheet metalparts, including'a multiplicity of vertically disposed vane elements anda base element, and said elements being welded together to form aunitary structure including a centrally disposed upright tubular ductfor accommodating a drive shaft therein, and wherein the operatingportions of said vanes extend in radial direction.

Still another object is to provide a novel and improved form ofagitator-which is of simplifled construction, durable in operation, andwhich is capable of economical manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsin which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the novel agitator embodying thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal, transverse, sectional view through the agitatortaken substantially as indicated at line 3-3 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical, section taken substantially as indicated at line4*4 on Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, horizontal, sectional view through the junctureof a pair of adjacent vanes, taken as indicated at line 5- 5 on Fig. 4.

The novel agitaton; embodying the present invention and as illustratedin the drawings, ineludes an inverted dished shape base member Hi,which, as maybe seen in the drawings, is of generally frusto-conicalformation, with the lower marginal edge thereof terminating in anin-turned rim, as seen in Fig 4 of the drawings, so as to provide arounded surface. As seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the central upperportion of the base is of fiat, circular outline as indicated at H.

Mounted on the base in central relationship to the axis thereof is aplurality of angularly related, upstanding vane elements I5, hereinshown as three in number, which are positioned in such co-relationshiptoeach other that the inner portion of each vane is disposed in abuttingrelation to a similar portion of the next adjacent vane, so as to definean upstanding tubular duct it, which is of triangular cross section asseen in Fig. -3 of the drawings. It is to be understood thatwhen thevanes are arranged as shown in the drawings, the tubular duct i6 isdisposed in registration with a correspondingly shaped opening I 7formed in the flat central area H in the base so as to permittelescoping of the agitator over a drive shaft, as will hereinafter bedescribed.

Each of the vane elements are formed to include a main operating portionI8 and an aux iliary extension portion 19, disposed in an angular,relationship with respect to the operating portion 88, as clearly seenin the drawings. Such relationship of the respectiveportions of each ofthe vanes is such that when the vanes are assembled together andon thebase H], the operating portions I8 of the vanes are disposed in v radialrelation to the axis of the base [0 while seen in Fig. 3, said flanges20 seat flat and in parallel relationship to the inner edge of theoperating portion I8 of the next adjacent vane, as clearly seen in Fig.5 of the drawings. The lower edge of the vane elements, including boththe operating portion I8 and auxiliary extension l9, are formed with acontinuous outwardly extending flange 2| which is bent angularly so asto conform to the contour of the upper surface of the base Iii, to seatflat against the tapered conical surface and also upon the flat centralarea H. The flanges 20 and 2| of the respective vanes are seam weldedrespectively to the adjacent vane elements and to the base element so asto form a rigid, unitary structure.

The operating portions [8 of the respective vane elements are ofconventional outline as seen in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings, includinga horizontally extending portion l8 merging into a vertically disposedportion 18 agitator vanes has been found highly eflicient for obtaininga proper washing operation.

The outer marginal edge of the operating por tion of the vanes is foldedupon itself as indicated at [8 so as to provide a reinforcement for theouter marginal edge thereof and at the same time provide a roundedsurface so as to insure minimum abrasive action upon encounter with theclothes in actual operation.

Mounted in the upper end of the tubular duct I5 is a triangular shapeddriving block 25, which snugly engages the walls of the upper ends ofthe auxiliary portions I9 of the vane elements, and said block is firmlysecured to said auxiliary extension portions by means of screws 26. The

driving block is formed interiorly with a tapered socket 21 for a snug,telescopic fit upon a cooperatively tapered driving head carried uponthe upper end of an agitator drive shaft (not shown) by virtue of whichthe drive shaft is caused to impart oscillatory movement to the agitatorin a conventional manner.

Because the vane elements and the base element are formed of sheet metalstampings, it is desirable that the elements be first welded together asabove mentioned so as to form a rigid, unitary structure, after whichthe exposed or outer operating surfaces thereof may be coated with anysuitable and durable material such as vitreous enamel. It is well knownthat such a coating of material will not be subject to the alkalineaction of the washing fluid and at all times will be capable of quickand easy cleansing so as to conveniently restore the agitator to itsoriginal appearance. Such coating further does not result in pitting orroughening of the surface thereof due to alkaline action and accordinglyreduces the abrasive action upon the clothes to a minimum.

While I have herein shown and described a referred embodiment of myinvention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement ofparts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not,therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to theprecise form herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by theappended claims,

I claim:

1. An agitator for use in a Washing machine, comprising a stamped sheetmetal base member, and a plurality of stamped sheet metal vanes eachincluding a fiat operating portion and a flat auxiliary portionextending to the full height of the operatingportion of the vane, saidoperating portion and auxiliary portion of each vane Such design ofbeing disposed in angular relation to each other, and said vanes beingmounted in upright position on said base in angular relation to eachother to dispose the operating portions of said vanes in radialarrangement and with the outer marginal portion of said auxiliaryportion of each vane terminating in an outwardly extending flangeabutting against the next adjacent vane, whereby said auxiliary portionsform a tubular duct, registering with an aperture in the base foraccommodating a vertical drive shaft therein.

2. An agitator for use in a washing machine, comprising a stamped sheetmetal base member, and a plurality of stamped sheet metal vanes eachincluding a flat operating portion and a flat auxiliary portionextending to the full height of the operating portion of the vane, saidoperating portion and auxiliary portion of each vane being disposed inangular relation to each other, and said vanes being mounted in uprightposition on said base in angular relation to each other to dispose theoperating portions of said vanes in radial arrangement and with theouter marginal vertical edge of the auxiliary portion of each vane beingdisposed in abutting relation to the next adjacent vane, and the outerexposed marginal edge of the operating portion of each vane being bentupon itself to provide a rounded reinforcing edge, whereby saidauxiliary portions form a tubular duct, registering with an aperture inthe base for accommodating a vertical drive shaft therein.

3. An agitator for use in a washing machine, comprising a stamped sheetmetal base member, and a plurality of stamped sheet metal vanes eachincluding a flat operating portion and a flat auxiliary portionextending to the full height of the operating portion of the vane, saidoperating portion and auxiliary portion of each vane being disposed inangular relation to each other, and said vanes being mounted in uprightposition on said base in angular relation to each other to dispose theoperating portions of said vanes in radial arrangement and with theouter marginal vertical edge of the auxiliary portion of each vane beingdisposed in abutting relation to the next adjacent vane, and the loweredge of said vanes terminating in an outwardly extending flange seatedupon and connected to said base, whereby said auxiliary portions form atubular duct, registering with an aperture in the base for accommodatinga vertical drive shaft therein.

4. An agitator for use in a washing machine, comprising a stamped sheetmetal base member, and a plurality of stamped sheet metal vanes eachincluding a flat operating portion and a fiat auxiliary portionextending to the full height of the operating portion of the vane, saidoperating portion and auxiliary portion of each vane being disposed inangular relation to each other, and said vanes being mounted in uprightposition on said base in angular relation to each other to dispose theoperating portions of said vanes in radial arrangement and with theouter marginal vertical edge of the auxiliary portion of each vane beingdisposed in abutting relation tothe next adjacent vane, and the outerexposed marginal edge of the operating portion of each vane being bentupon itself to provide a rounded reinforcing edge, the lower edge ofsaid vanes terminating in an outwardly extending flange seated upon'andconnected to said base, whereby said auxiliary portions form a tubularduct, registering with an aperture in the base for accommodating avertical drive shaft therein.

5. An agitator-for use in a washing machine. comprising a stamped sheetmetal base of frusto-. conical contour, including a continuous taperedwall merging into a fiat central portion, and a plurality'of stampedsheet metal vanes each including a flat operating portion and a flatauxiliary portion extending the full height of theoperating portion ofthe vane, said operating and 1 ating portion of the vane, said operatingand auxiliary portions of each vane being disposed, in

angular relation to each other, said vanes being mounted in uprightpositionon said base in angular relation to each other to dispose theoperating portions of said vanesrin radial arrangement, and with theouter marginal-vertical edge of the auxiliary portion of each vanedisposed in abutting relationto' thenext adjacent vane, the

tour of said base with the operating portions lower edge of said vanesbeing shaped to the con-v seated on the tapered surface-and theauxiliary portions seated on' fiat central portion, whereby theauxiliary portions of said vanes form. a tubular duct, registeringwithan aperture in said fiat central portion of the base,for-accommodating avertical drive shaft therein,

6.,An agitator for use in'a washing machine} comprising a stamped sheetmetal baseof frustoconical contour, including a continuous tapered 3wall merging into a flat, central portion, and a plurality of stampedsheet metal vanes each ineluding a flat operating portion and a flatauxil iary portion extending the full height of the operating portionofthe vane, said operating and auxiliary portions of each vane beingdisposed in angular relationrto each other, said vanesbeing mounted inupright position on said base in angular relation to each other todispose the-oper 1 angular relation to 'eachother, said vanes beingJfmounted ,in upright position on said base in' angular relation to eachother to dispose the operating portions of; said. vanes in' radialarrangement, and with the outer marginal 'vertical' ating portions ofsaid vanes .inj radial arrangea ment, and with the'outer' marginalvertical edgev of the auxiliary portion of each vane terminating in anoutwardly extending flange, disposed 7 in abutting relation to thenextadjacent vane,the

lower edge of said vanes being shaped to the contour of said base'withthe operating portions seated on the tapered surface and the auxiliaryportions seated on fiatlcentralportion, whereby the auxiliary portionsof said vanesform a tubular'duct, registering with an aperturedn saidflat central portion of the base, foraccommodating a verticaldrive shafttherein;

7. Anagitator for use in a washing machine, comprising a stamped sheetmetal base of frustoe auxiliary portions of each vane being disposed inangular relationto each other, said vanes being mounted'in uprightposition on saidbase in an-' gular relation to each other to dispose theoperat- 7 ing portions of said vanesin radial arrangement,

and with the outer marginal vertical edge of the auxiliary portion ofeach vane disposed in abutting relation to the next adjacent vane, thelower edge of said vanes being shaped to the contour of saidloase withthe operating portions seated on tering with an aperture in said flatcentral portion of the base, for accommodating a. vertical drive, shafttherein. v

8. An agitatorforc use in a washing machine,

comprising a stamped sheet metal base of frusto-' conical contour,including a continuous taperedwall merging into a flat central portion,and a plurality of stamped sheet metal vanes each in cluding a hatoperating portion and a flat auxiliary portion extendingthe .full heightof the operating portion of the vane, said operating and auxiliaryportions of each vane being disposed in edge of the auxiliary portion ofeach vane terminating in an outwardly extending flange, disposed inabutting relation to the next adjacent vane, the lower edge of saidvanes being shaped to the contour of said basewith the operatingportions seated on the tapered surface and the v auxiliary portionsseated on flat central portion,

'and the lower edge of the respective portion of each vane terminatingin an outwardly extending 1 flange seated upon and connected to therespecconical contour, including a continuous tapered wall merging intoa fiat central portion, and a plurality of stamped sheet metalvanesleach in V eluding a fiat operating portion and a fiat auxiltivetapered and flat surfaces of said base, said verticalflangesbeinggwelded to said adjacent vanes and said lower edge flangesbeingwelded to 's'aid-base'toform a unitary structure, whereby theauxiliary portions of said vanes form a tubular duct, registering withan'aperture in said fiat central portion of the base, for accommodatinga vertical drive shaft therein. l

V I JOHN P. BEATTIE.

iary portion extending the full height of the oper-

